Originally from Cedar Rapids, Sydney Powers has utilized her three years as a Knight both athletically and academically. Powers was a part of the program's first ever conference championship in 2018 and has played in both singles and doubles. The business administration and political science double-major holds career records of 30-22 in singles and 34-18 in doubles.
 
How did you hear about Wartburg?
 
SP: I originally was committed to the University of Northern Iowa and I told my tennis coach that in high school. She thought I would get more playing time if I looked at Wartburg or other D-III schools. She reached out to coach Gustas and he came to one of my meets and met my parents. After that my parents said "You need to visit Wartburg."
 
What convinced you that Wartburg would be the right fit?
 
SP: I think coming and touring helped me make my decision. I ate lunch with the tennis team on my visit and the girls' personalities were great. I also liked the small school vibe, because UNI and other D-I schools are huge.
 
How did you decide on your majors?
 
SP: I came in undecided, so I was really open to anything. I heard a lot of people major in business. Halfway through my freshman year I was thinking about becoming a lawyer because half of my family are lawyers, and when you go to law school, they really don't care about what you major in. They care more about your LSAT scores, so I was thinking about majoring in something I could fall back on even if I don't want to become a lawyer. Political science, I want to potentially go on a campaign, so I thought political science would get me that background and would help for law school too.
 
With your plan being to go to law school, where are you looking?
 
SP: I'm looking at the University of Iowa and the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. 
 
What has been your favorite Wartburg athletic memory?
 
SP: Winning conference last year. We won conference officially when we played Dubuque, but when we beat Luther we knew we had it. Clinching at Luther was big.
 
How do you balance being a student-athlete?
 
SP: It's hard sometimes, but I feel like since our season is broken up, we have a lot of our matches at the same time coursework is typically the lightest. That balances out and then we have our break up until February. Being a student-athlete also helps me balance everything and be organized.
 
How has playing tennis added to your Wartburg experience?
 
SP: I have definitely made a solid group of friends here. Coming in to school knowing a group of people helps you make other connections. With tennis, you come a couple weeks early, so you get a feel of the campus and everything.
 
What else are you involved in besides tennis?
 
SP: I just joined the group "Wartburg for Warren." I'm the co-president and I'm also on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. That's helped me do a lot of volunteer work.
 
Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
 
SP: For some reason I like to braid my hair before a meet and then during the meet I'll take it out or throw it up. If people are having good conversations before we start a meet, if the vibe is good, then we play well.
 
What advice do you have for high school students considering playing tennis at Wartburg?
 
SP: The biggest piece of advice would be not to be stressed on ACT scores or other things academic-wise. Coming into Wartburg, a lot of people are focused on academics and other stuff. Sometimes people feel like if you do a sport in college it's going to be too much, but playing a spot makes you feel more relaxed and gives you a daily plan.
 
What does it mean to be a Knight?
 
SP: Wartburg is very athletic, so being a student-athlete means being a part of that culture. It's very welcoming and inviting. That's what it means to be a Knight.